Is everything okay over at Xbox? That’s the prevailing question this week, as the games publisher/console manufacturer seems to be making some strange business moves this week. XboxEra broke a story this week about Microsoft’s plans to bring formerly exclusive Xbox games to PlayStation and Switch. Hypothetically, this could include games like Hi-Fi Rush and Starfield. This would just be a rumor, were it not for the fact that Phil Spencer tweeted that, in response to the tumult, Xbox would hold a show next week about the future of Xbox.
The question became, is Xbox planning to move away from the world of consoles and exclusive games altogether? Xbox has appeared to be participating in the console wars, albeit as the underdog, for years now. If they’re going to back out, where does that leave the brand? Personally, I can understand the business reasons behind launching games that haven’t reaped a huge profit on other platforms. But I also see why this would make Xbox fans feel shortchanged.
It wasn’t just Xbox that stirred the gaming pot this week: Disney announced it’s investing $1.5 billion in Epic Games to create its own massive online world that links to Fortnite. It’s a new approach from the big media company, which has historically had a rocky time of it in the games world. It sounds like the beginning of something aimed at the Fortnite/Roblox generation. The part I found most illuminating was CEO Bob Iger admitting that this is a way to reach said generation while not risking much as a company.
In personal news, I’ll be trying to avoid playing Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League if at all possible. I know it’s the “big game” out right now, but it looks so boring. Maybe if I have a few hours, I’ll try — but if I come out a sourpuss, don’t blame me. One January game that I overlooked that I might try during this relatively quiet week is Home Safety Hotline, which caught my eye a while ago.
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What to play this week:
What’s new:
- Foamstars
- Helldivers 2
- The Inquisitor
New on subscription services:
- Anuchard (Xbox Game Pass)
- Train Sim World 4 (Xbox Game Pass)
- Madden NFL 24 (Xbox Game Pass)
- Rollerdrome (PlayStation Plus Essential)
- Steelrising (PlayStation Plus Essential)
- Missile Command: Recharged (Prime Gaming)
- Aragami 2 (GeForce Now)
- art of rally (GeForce Now)
- dotAGE (GeForce Now)
- Tram Simulator Urban Transit (GeForce Now)
- The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series (GeForce Now)
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